From the Chairmen...

The recent moratorium on field of membership expansion resulting from the Supreme Court decision and the ensuing very tough battle to gain passage of H.R. 1151 are the most recent examples of the absolute dependency of credit unions on the existence of a favorable legislative environment. Loss of the ability to expand membership or loss of the income tax exemption would be catastrophic to many credit unions and a serious hardship for all.

This model plan has been developed to assist credit union leadership in playing a key role in the nationwide effort to assure that credit unions are universally recognized by lawmakers as an important social and economic force and as a powerful political force. Widespread adoption and implementation of this plan should create an awareness of credit union activities and values and an appreciation of their political impact that will assure a favorable legislative environment for the future.

The key to long term success is the recognition that the leaders, the boards of directors and the CEOs must make it happen. This is the underlying basis for the plan. Maintenance of a favorable legislative environment is at least as important to the strategic future of every credit union as development of services and delivery systems, marketing, data processing and the many other topics that occupy the time of boards and CEOs. This plan asks you to formalize recognition of political involvement in your planning process and to make it a part of your day-to-day operations and a part of your strategic goals and plans. Nothing else is more important.

This document is not long. It is a framework for your credit union to be a permanent player in the future of the Credit Union Movement. Your league and CUNA will provide information, training, and assistance in the long-term development of your detailed plan. This document provides you with everything you need to get started by making a commitment to be a part of a nationwide strategy to make credit unions a primary consideration of lawmakers everywhere at every level of government.

Dave Maus
Chairman, CUNA & Affiliates

Barry Jolette
Chairman, CUNA Government Affairs Committee

John Franklin
Chairman, CUNA's 1999 Political Involvement Subcommittee

1999 Political Involvement Subcommittee Members:
John Bommarito, TRW Systems Federal Credit Union
Cindy Connelly, Georgia Credit Union Affiliates
H. Byron Edgett, Spokane Federal Credit Union
Charles Elliott, Mississippi Credit Union League
Catherine Herring, Communicating Arts Credit Union
Bob Hess, Wright Patman Congressional Credit Union
Olan Jones, Jr., Eastman Credit Union
Patrick Jury, Iowa Credit Union League
Gary Moody, Michigan Credit Union League
John Prumo, G.P.O. Federal Credit Union
David Shakespeare, Pennsylvania Credit Union League
Randy M. Smith, Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union
Ken Watts, West Virginia Credit Union League

Copyright © 2008 - Credit Union National Association, Inc.